Kettlebell Accessories

ABSTRACT

Kettlebell (weight training) exercise equipment to protect an athlete&#39;s body from injury and to improve exercise/training form may include palm, wrist and/or forearm protectors in a glove-like form, or the kettlebells themselves may be fitted with suitable padding materials to achieve similar effect.

CONTINUITY AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application number 61/______, filed 6 Jul. 2011.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to athletic equipment, more specifically, athletic equipment that helps protect athletes' wrists during athletic activities, namely kettlebell training exercises.

BACKGROUND

Kettlebell training has become wildly popular as a form of challenging and productive exercise. Kettlebell training consists of a combination of natural movements that help strengthen and condition an athlete in an integrated fashion. Kettlebell training has many benefits over traditional weight training, including providing holistic body conditioning rather than isolating muscle groups and providing efficient, combined cardiovascular and weight training exercises.

SUMMARY

When an athlete engages in kettlebell training, the athlete generally swings the kettlebells in various movements, oftentimes causing the kettlebell to contact the back surface (dorsal surface) of the athlete's wrist. This contact may cause bruising and other irritation for the athlete. The athletic equipment described below helps minimize the effects of the contact between exercise equipment, such as the kettlebell, and the athlete's wrist and help encourage the athlete to perform the kettlebell training exercises with proper form to prevent injury and maximize effects.

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

FIG. 1 shows a wrist protector in its inverted, or upside-down state, showing a hook-and-loop fastener; and the wrist protector in its normal or right-side up state.

FIG. 2 is a detail view exposing padding that is sewn into an embodiment of the invention, under the wrist protector attachment point.

FIG. 3 shows a view of an embodiment of the invention with wrist protector installed, shown from the opening where an athlete's forearm enters.

FIG. 4 shows the opposing end of the wrist protector, where the athlete's hand emerges.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the relationship between the wrist protector of an embodiment and a kettlebell when the latter is held in different positions during exercise.

FIG. 7 is a detail of the palm protector of an embodiment, showing the shape of the protector. Note that the 90° cut-outs at either side should align with the wearer's first knuckle (palm side).

FIGS. 8-11 show several views of an athlete wearing an embodiment of the invention to illustrate how the palm protector curves with the athlete's fingers.

FIGS. 12-14 show several views of a kettlebell with an attached embodiment of the invention: a pad to cushion impact between the kettlebell and an athlete's forearm (or the wrist protector of another embodiment).

FIG. 15 shows back or top views of left and right wrist protectors.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment with the wrist protector separated therefrom.

FIGS. 17-19 show several views of the back of a wrist-protector. Note the ridges, which provide additional stiffness and also help prevent the kettlebell from sliding from side to side across the athlete's forearm.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the hook-and-loop fasteners inside (or on the underside of) a wrist protector.

FIGS. 22-25 show views of an athlete wearing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show the athlete holding a kettlebell in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a wrist protector is provided which includes a protective element having a first surface and a second, opposing surface and a channel defined on the first surface of the protective element, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 17-21. The protective element is shaped to extend over at least a portion of a wrist of an athlete. The wrist protector protects the athlete's wrist during athletic activities such as kettlebell training exercises. The wrist protector is an impact-attenuating element positioned adjacent to the athlete's wrist at a position that will most likely contact a kettlebell (or any other exercise equipment) when the athlete engages in athletic activity including, but not limited to, kettlebell training exercises.

The protective element of the wrist protector includes a curved shape, in some examples, to complement or conform to the shape of the dorsal surface of the athlete's wrist. The protective element extends from a medial side to a lateral side of the dorsal surface of the athlete's wrist. In some examples, the protective element extends the entire distance between the medial and lateral side of the dorsal surface of the athlete's wrist. The protective element also includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distance between the proximal end and the distal end is any suitable distance that extends over the portion of the athlete's wrist that comes into contact with the kettlebell when the athlete performs kettlebell training exercises.

In some examples, the protective element of the wrist protector is a plate. In more specific examples, the plate is curved such that it complements or conforms to the shape of the athlete's wrist. The plate includes any suitable material(s) including, but not limited to, one or more plastics, metals, rubbers, and the like. The plate also may include a pad. The plate is manufactured in any suitable manner. In some examples, the plate may be stamped, thermal molded, extruded or injection molded. The plate may include a non-slip surface to reduce the likelihood that the kettlebell will slip or slide against the surface of the plate that comes into contact with the kettlebell when the athlete performs kettlebell training exercises.

As described above, the wrist protector has a channel defined on the first surface of the protective element, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-19. The channel is formed by a first side wall, a second side wall, and an interconnecting web, in some examples. In some examples, the channel is approximately centered between a medial edge and a lateral edge of the wrist protector. The channel may be any desired width and height. In some examples, the channel is tapered from a proximal end towards a distal end of the protective element. The channel extends along any portion of the protective element between the proximal end and the distal end. In some examples, the channel extends the entire distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the protective element.

The first side wall and the second side wall are positioned approximately parallel with each other in some examples. In other examples, the first side wall and the second side wall are positioned at an angle with respect to each other, such that the channel is tapered. The first side wall and the second side wall are positioned at any angle with respect to the web of the channel. In some examples, the first side wall and the second side wall are positioned at an angle that is at least 90° with respect to the web.

The wrist protector may be operably secured to a carrier in any suitable manner. The carrier may take the form of any suitable article which positions the wrist protector on an athlete's arm including, but not limited to a wrist band, one or more straps and/or flexible bands, a glove, a sleeve (athletic sleeve and a sleeve of a shirt or jacket), a brace, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier includes an elastic, breathable material. In some examples the wrist protector is secured to the carrier with a hook and loop fastener. Any suitable adhesives and/or mechanical connectors may be used to secure the wrist protector to the carrier. In other examples, the carrier includes a pouch or pocket-like structure into which the wrist protector is positioned during use.

In a specific example, the wrist protector is operably secured to an athletic glove via a hook and loop fastener. The athletic glove extends over at least a portion of the palmar surface and the dorsal surface of the athlete's wrist and hand. The wrist protector is operably secured to the glove at a position on the dorsal surface of the glove such that the wrist protector extends over the dorsal surface of the athlete's wrist when the athlete is wearing the glove. The glove is any suitable protective hand, wrist, and/or arm covering.

In another aspect of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 15 and 22-25, a carrier includes a first surface configured to extend over a dorsal surface of at least a portion of an athlete's wrist, hand, and/or arm and an opposing, second surface configured to extend over at least a portion of a palmar surface of the athlete's hand. The second surface includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes a medial recess that is positioned on a medial side of the distal end and a lateral recess positioned on a lateral side of the distal end. In some examples, the second surface of the article of manufacture extends from a medial edge of the athlete's hand to a lateral edge of the athlete's hand when the athlete is wearing the article of manufacture. In further examples, the medial recess is positioned adjacent to the medial edge of the athlete's hand and the lateral recess is positioned adjacent to the lateral edge of the athlete's hand when the athlete is wearing the article of manufacture. In more specific examples, the medial recess and the lateral recess are positioned to extend across at least one of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the athlete's hand.

The carrier may be fabricated from any suitable materials. In an example, the second surface includes a leather material and/or any other non-slip surface contour and/or material. In some examples, at least a portion of the carrier includes a moisture wicking material.

The carrier further may include any embodiment of the wrist protector as described above. The wrist protector is operably secured to the carrier in some examples.

In yet another aspect illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, the athletic equipment includes a kettlebell having a main body portion and a handle and a pad operably secured to the main body portion of the kettlebell. The kettlebell is either solid or hollow and fabricated of any suitable material(s) including but not limited to steel, iron, plastic, and sand. The pad is operably secured to the main body portion at a position that comes into contact with an athlete's wrist when the piece of athletic equipment is being used by the athlete. The pad is operably secured to the main body portion of the kettlebell such that it extends over any suitable portion of the main body portion and/or the handle. In an example, the pad extends over the main body portion in a location that is most likely to contact the athlete's wrist(s) when the kettlebell training exercises are being performed by the athlete. The pad is any suitable impact-attenuating structure and may include any suitable material(s). In some examples, the pad includes a foam material, fabric, rubber and the like. The pad is either a discrete element from the kettlebell or an integral part of the kettlebell. In an example, the pad includes an impact-attenuating plate that is attached to the main body portion of the kettlebell. In another example, the pad includes an ergonomic shape within the contour of the main body portion that conforms to the shape of the athlete's wrist.

The pad is any suitable shape, contour, and thickness. In an example, the pad includes one or more raised protrusions that are positioned at or near the portion of the pad that is most likely to contact the athlete's wrists when the kettlebell exercises are being performed by the athlete. In this example, the protrusion(s) may be positioned such that they surround at least a portion of the wrist of the athlete when the athlete's wrist contacts the kettlebell when the kettlebell training exercises are being performed with “proper” form. These exemplary protrusions help prevent the athlete's wrist from slipping upon contact with the kettlebell and encourage the athlete to perform the kettlebell training exercises with proper form. In another example, the pad includes a non-slip surface that helps prevents the athlete's wrist from slipping upon contact with the kettlebell.

The pad may be selectively removable from the main body portion of the kettlebell with mechanical or selectively securable fasteners including but not limited to hook and look fasteners, releasable adhesives, magnetic, and other mechanical, chemical, and/or bonded fasteners. In the examples including a selectively removable pad, the kettlebell is able to be used by the athlete either with or without the pad. The pad also may be permanently secured to the main body portion of the kettlebell in any suitable manner including by not limited to cements, glues, bonds, adhesives, and permanent mechanical fasteners.

The main body portion of the kettlebell is shaped in any suitable manner. In an example, the main body portion is generally spherical in shape. In another example, the main body portion includes a wrist contact portion that is shaped to complement or conform to the shape of the athlete's wrist at a position that is likely to come into contact with the athlete's wrist when the athlete is performing the kettlebell exercises. The wrist contact portion may be ergonomically shaped to reduce discomfort for the athlete when the athlete's wrist contacts the kettlebell during kettlebell training exercises.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed wrist protector may be embodied in any suitable article of manufacture.

Similarly, individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same also may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

The structures, compositions and forms of the present invention have been described largely by reference to specific examples and in terms of particular allocations of functionality to certain components. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that kettlebell exercise equipment can also be manufactured in alternate forms that nevertheless comprise the novel features. Such variations and alternate forms are understood to be captured according to the following claims. 

1. A wrist protector, comprising: a protective element having a first surface and a second, opposing surface; and a channel defined on the first surface of the protective element; wherein the protective element is shaped to extend over at least a portion of a wrist of an athlete.
 2. The wrist protector of claim 1, wherein the protective element is a plate.
 3. The wrist protector of claim 2, wherein the plate includes a pad.
 4. The wrist protector of claim 2, wherein the plate includes a plastic material.
 5. The wrist protector of claim 2, wherein the plate is injection molded.
 6. The wrist protector of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the protective element is shaped to be complementary to at least a portion of a shape an athlete's wrist.
 7. The wrist protector of claim 1, wherein the second surface is positioned adjacent to a dorsal surface of the athlete's wrist when the wrist protector is being worn by the athlete.
 8. The wrist protector of claim 7, wherein the wrist protector is used during kettlebell training exercises and wherein the first surface of the protective element is positioned such that the kettlebell contacts the first surface of the protective element when the athlete engages in kettlebell training exercises.
 9. The wrist protector of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a first side wall, a second side wall, and a web interconnecting the first and second side walls.
 10. The wrist protector of claim 9, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are positioned at an angle that is at least 90° with respect to the web.
 11. The wrist protector of claim 9, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are positioned at an angle with respect to each other.
 12. The wrist protector of claim 1, further comprising a carrier, wherein the protective element is operably secured to the article of manufacture.
 13. The wrist protector of claim 12, wherein the article of manufacture is selected from the group consisting of a sleeve, a wrist band, a glove, a brace and combinations thereof.
 14. An article of manufacture, comprising: a first surface configured to extend over a dorsal surface of at least a portion of an athlete's wrist and hand; and an opposing, second surface configured to extend over at least a portion of a palmar surface the athlete's hand; wherein the second surface includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the distal end includes a medial recess positioned on a medial side of the distal end and a lateral recess positioned on the lateral side of the distal end.
 15. The article of manufacture of claim 14, further comprising a wrist protector as recited in claim 1, wherein the wrist protector is operably secured to the first surface of the article of manufacture.
 16. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the second surface extends from a medial edge of the athlete's hand to a lateral edge of the athlete's hand when the athlete is wearing the article of manufacture.
 17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the medial recess is positioned adjacent to the medial edge of the athlete's hand and the lateral recess is positioned adjacent to the lateral edge of the athlete's hand.
 18. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the medial recess and the lateral recess are positioned to extend across at least one of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the athlete's hand.
 19. A piece of athletic equipment, comprising: a kettlebell having a main body portion and a handle; a pad operably secured to at least a portion of the main body portion at a position that comes into contact with an athlete's wrist when the piece of athletic equipment is being used by the athlete.
 20. The piece of athletic equipment of claim 19, wherein the main body portion is shaped to complement the athlete's wrist at the position that comes into contact with the athlete's wrist when the piece of athletic equipment is being used by the athlete. 